Transfer VHS to DVD or CD

There are three ways that I know of (besides hiring someone) to transfer from your VCR to Digital format so that they can be either viewed on your computer, the internet or on DVD. You can use these same methods to transfer from any analog source such as camcorder to your computer.

With the following will work with most PCs made in the last six years. But remember that video takes up a lot of space on your hard drive. So you should have 4GB free to play around in. You can free up hard drive space by storing your video clips on CD or DVD once you're done editing them.

1. Using a digital camcorder as a converter. Check your camcorder owners manual. ALERT: If your owner's manual cover's two or more models, make sure the information pertains to your model. Sometimes only the higher end (more features) models will do this.

2. Check your computer. It may allow audio and video input jacks. These are the same size round holes as for the microphone and headset jacks but are specific for video or audio line in. Not all computers will have them. Mine has them on the back of the tower. If I had known this I would not have bought a converter.

You need software. My computer came with Windows Movie Maker included free. If you don't have that you can check at Microsoft.com or go to www.downloads.com and search for "movie editor". Downloads has free and / or trial versions of many kinds of programs.

3. Using a Converter. While most converters cost anywhere from $100 to several hundred dollars, I found one closer to $50.00. It's DVDXpress from ADS Tech. It is for PC only, not Mac. As with all devices check to make sure your system meets the basic PC requirements. At this writing the DVDXpress lists for $150.75, but I found it here for $49.95.

The DVDXpress is simple to set up. It comes with CapWiz3.5 and MovieFactory 3. Frankly I prefer using Windows Movie Maker for editing my clips.

ALERT: If you own an analog camcorder, you do NOT need to go out and buy a digital camcorder in order to make DVDs or internet videos. With any of the above methods you can record directly off your camera.

ALERT: SAVING from Windows Movie Maker. I made a video and tried to upload it to Google films. It would not accept my format which was .MSWMM not .wmv or the other acceptable formats. Frustrated I searched the internet until I found a forum with dozens of posts from people having the same problem. Then I reached a post which began, "IDIOTS !!!!!"

Problem solved. When you open the File menu you will find that Ctrl+S saves it a a Movie Maker Project .MSWMM. Ctrl+P brings up options of saving it to CD, DVD, e-mail, your computer, directly to the internet, or to your camcorder tape. This will be the .wmv file.

Hope this is helpful.